Summary

  • Updates from across the West of England on Thursday, 16 June 2016

  1. Good night from BBC Local Livepublished at 22:01 BST 16 June 2016

    That's all from us on Local Live in the West - we're back tomorrow from 7am. 

    It's been a day of tremendous shock and sadness following the death of the Labour MP Jo Cox, who died after being attacked in her constituency.

    The region's politicians have united in tribute to the 41-year-old.

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    The Forest of Dean Labour peer, Baroness Jan Royall told BBC Radio Gloucestershire she had known Jo Cox for 20 years through their work together in Brussels and at Oxfam.

    The MP also had a holiday home near Symonds Yat, where both she and Baroness Royall often spent weekends together.

    Baroness Royall will also be speaking live on Mark Cummings' breakfast show tomorrow, just after 8am.

  2. Euro 2016: England still expects and Wales still hopepublished at 21:51 BST 16 June 2016

    Before we wrap up for the evening we thought you'd like to see these joyous scenes from today's England v Wales match.

    First up, English and Welsh fans came together at The Bell pub in the border village of Redbrook. See if you can spot the difference...

    Media caption,

    Jubliation and resignation after England win

    Then there were the massed ranks of supporters who watched at Bristol City's Ashton Gate stadium. Their celebrations were a little bit messier and a lot noisier! 

    Media caption,

    Loudest cheer as England scores winning goal against Wales

  3. MP Jo Cox death: Security concerns of all MPspublished at 21:42 BST 16 June 2016

    Following the sad news of MP Jo Cox's death following an attack in her constituency, MPs in the West have been paying tribute to the 41-year-old.

    Campaigning for the EU referendum was halted and the Leader of the House of Commons, Chris Grayling - who was in Bristol today - spoke of security fears that all members of parliament face on a daily basis.

    Reaction also came from Lib Dem peer Nigel Jones, who was MP for Cheltenham when he was wounded in an attack in 2000 which killed his aide Andrew Pennington.

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  4. Somerset students hold rally outside the Houses of Parliamentpublished at 21:29 BST 16 June 2016

    Students from the Foxes Academy in Minehead were part of a group of 100 people who protested in London earlier as part of the "Right Not A Fight", external campaign.

    The campaign calls for students with learning difficulties to have the same choices in education as other young people.

  5. Wiltshire veteran's long wait for medals finally overpublished at 21:00 BST 16 June 2016

    For one Wiltshire war veteran the wait for his recognition is finally over. 

    Frank Diffell, from Shaw, near Melksham, helped secure the Normandy beaches during the D-Day landings in World War Two, while serving with the Royal Navy.

    In 2014, the French President François Hollande said all surviving veterans would be given France's highest military honour, the Legion d'Honneur, but somehow Frank was forgotten.

    Frank with his medal

    Last week the 92-year-old travelled to Normandy for the D-Day commemorations where he was awarded his medal. Congratulations Frank!

    Frank's medal, the Legion d'Honneur
  6. Euro 2016: How did you watch the big game?published at 20:43 BST 16 June 2016

    With football fever in the air BBC Points West asked viewers how they were watching the England v Wales match.

    Here are some of the pictures they received... 

    CreteImage source, Becky Massey

    This photo was emailed to us from Crete by Becky Massey - who rather pointedly said it was taken on her HONEYMOON!!

    Montage of football fansImage source, Family photos

    The picture on the far left was sent in by proud mum Lucy who said “Thought you might like a picture of my daughter. I'm English and her Dad is Welsh so as you can see she's having trouble deciding who to support.” 

    It was all "too much" excitement for baby Nancy, third photo, and finally Oscar - on the right - enjoyed cheering on his team.

    MontageImage source, Family photos

    More first time football fans on this one, on the left is Archie and on the right are Tilly (two) and Finlay (10 weeks) with daddy, aww, bless!

  7. Euro 2016: Watch the ups and downs of England v Walespublished at 20:24 BST 16 June 2016

    The Bell pub on the England-Wales border hosted fans from both countries as they watched their sides' clash in a tense game.

    As we now know their were moments of celebration for both sides, with England the eventual victors.

  8. Last Merlin leaves RAF Benson bound for Somersetpublished at 20:07 BST 16 June 2016

    Last Merlin leaves RAF BensonImage source, RAF Benson

    A two-year process to hand 25 helicopters from the RAF to the Royal Navy is completed, following the departure of the last Merlin from RAF Benson.

    The aircraft have been transferred to the 846 Naval Air Squadron in Somerset and are replacing the navy's Sea King fleet.

    Five Sea Kings - which had been based at RNAS Yeovilton - made a final flypast over the skies of Bristol and Glastonbury in March.

  9. Funnel cloud spotted over Cheltenhampublished at 19:42 BST 16 June 2016

    Calum Chance spotted what looks like a funnel cloud forming over Cheltenham earlier.

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  10. Charlton and Swindon agree Ajose dealpublished at 19:13 BST 16 June 2016

    Nicky AjoseImage source, Rex Features

    A deal is agreed for Swindon Town striker Nicky Ajose to join League One rivals Charlton Athletic, BBC Wiltshire understand.

    The former Manchester United trainee, 24, was Swindon's top scorer last term with 25 goals in all competitions.

  11. Cheltenham man tackles OCD condition in charity walkpublished at 18:58 BST 16 June 2016

    Tom Clancy from Cheltenham has obsessive compulsive disorder, a condition which can give him crippling "intrusive thoughts" and feelings of fear and anxiety.

    Tom ClancyImage source, Tom Clancy

    He has become one of an estimated 6,000 people who tackle the route from John O' Groats to Land's End. There's more on Tom's walk on the BBC News website.

  12. More tributes to Jo Cox MPpublished at 18:39 BST 16 June 2016

    West Country MPs have paid tribute to their colleague Jo Cox who died earlier today following an attack in her constituency.

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  13. Young wildlife fan hands over pocket money to barn owl appealpublished at 18:37 BST 16 June 2016

    This adorable letter was written by seven-year-old Finn, who was responding to an appeal from the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, external for money to help the county's barn owl population.

    A photo of Finn's letterImage source, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
    Image caption,

    Finn's handwritten letter to the trust

    The trust has launched an urgent appeal to raise £20,600 to create new nesting places for barn owls.

    A spokesman said: "Everyone here melted when they saw this, it's just wonderful that Finn, unprompted, decided to do this. 

    "We imagine it's probably the equivalent of a month's worth of wages to an adult."

  14. Avon and Somerset Police to end Southwest One contractpublished at 18:18 BST 16 June 2016

    Police officersImage source, PA

    Avon and Somerset Police will not be renewing its contract with the joint venture company Southwest One.

    A 10-year-long deal is due to end in October 2017, and chief constable Andy Marsh confirmed he had "given notice" that the contract will not be renewed.

    Instead he said he wants to work with neighbouring police and fire services.

    Southwest One, which is 75% owned by IBM, carries out administrative, IT and human resources tasks for the force.

  15. West politicians pay tribute to MP Jo Coxpublished at 17:54 BST 16 June 2016

    Fellow MPs and other leading political figures in the West have been reacting on social media to the death of Batley and Spen Labour MP Jo Cox.

    Jo Cox MPImage source, AP

    The 41-year-old was shot and stabbed during an attack in her constituency, police have said.

    She was married with two young children.

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  16. Euro 2016: Jubilation and woe at Ashton Gatepublished at 17:27 BST 16 June 2016

    England fans mingled with - a few - Welsh fans at Ashton Gate to watch England beat Wales 2-1 in their group match.

    The English were particularly ecstatic at their stoppage time comeback...

    Media caption,

    England fans celebrate their team's victory

    One of the Welsh fans put a brave face on to react to his side's valiant performance...

    Media caption,

    Welsh fan reacts to Wales being beaten by England in Euro 2016

  17. What's happening to Cheltenham's 'Banksy' house?published at 17:04 BST 16 June 2016

    Mystery still surrounds what's happening to the Banksy house in Cheltenham after scaffolding was put up around the building.

    Earlier this year the property, with the famous Spy Booth artwork on it, was put up for sale.

    The mural, on the Fairview Road house, has been the target of thieves, fought over and vandalised since it appeared in 2014.

  18. Bristol Rovers sign Plymouth defenderpublished at 16:40 BST 16 June 2016

    Peter HartleyImage source, Rex Features

    Bristol Rovers have signed Plymouth Argyle central defender Peter Hartley.

    The 28-year-old was offered a new deal at Argyle but will now join Rovers on 1 July once his current contract expires.

    Hartley becomes Rovers' first new signing of the summer since winning promotion to League One.

  19. Euro 2016: A game of two halves at border village pubpublished at 16:32 BST 16 June 2016

    Media caption,

    These England fans are happy as Larry...

    As the England fans at The Bell pub on the England-Wales border are celebrating England's first win in Euro 2016 the Welsh supporters are coming to terms with the result.

    Wales led 1-0 at half time but England secured victory with two goals in the second half.

    Nick Till landlord of The Bell says "We all know each other and we are all friends. It's always a good atmosphere here for the games."

    Media caption,

    ...the Welsh fans did try to rouse their team

    "I'm gutted," says Gabriel Marshall... "but England played well and deserved to win but I just won't be able to show my face in the bar for the next two weeks," he added.

  20. Euro 2016: Ashton Gate celebratespublished at 16:23 BST 16 June 2016

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